There's nothing better than an election that is free and fair.
The Association of Mass Communication Students (AMCOMS) had quite a number of interesting activities within the last month. After the manifesto hearing on Friday, the 29th of August, she held her departmental elections on Monday the 2nd of August, at the faculty of social science, University of Jos.
According to a census generated from the total number of votes, more than 500 students participated in this year's elections.
At about 10:30am, after all had been set; ballot boxes and papers provided, makers to mark thumbs of voters, the ELCOMS officials directed that voting could begin.
Students had earlier been asked to form lines according to their levels and the security men present set stones in front of them to demarcate the section not to be crossed.
Going in an order of two persons from each class, names of voters were checked according to class lists and students were given ballot papers and some, pens to cast their votes. There were only three seats (president, financial secretary, welfare secretary) with two candidates each to be voted.
The ELCOMS officials did their best to ensure that students understood what they were to do and also maintain order after voting.
The ELCOMS chairman portrayed remarkable zeal for his job and saw that every student including aspirants and agents kept to the rules of the voting exercise.
At about 2:30pm, the last set of voters were seen coming out of classes to vote. It was noticed that students of the 400 level and 100 level class had lectures which extended the voting time.
After all ‘interested’ students had cast their votes, the ELCOMS officials also cast theirs and voting officially came to a close.
Tension spread around the surrounding like a blanket in harmattan. Aspirants and friends of aspirants could be seen standing around waiting for votes to be counted and announced.
After a long while of waiting, students were asked to gather around for the announcement.
The ELCOMS chairman climbed a high stand to ensure that he was in clear view of all gathered. In his beginning address, he thanked all who came out to ‘exercise their franchise’, thanked his co-officials saying ‘they were the best people any man could work with’ and also thanked agents of all aspirants for their hardwork.
More tension. People drew closer to their candidates, waiting to offer congratulations or sympathy as the time for announcement drew closer.
A total number of votes rounding up to 554 was announced. The post of the financial secretary with Abraham Wuyep and Obadiah Livingstone as contenders, had 225 and 319 votes respectively, making Obadiah Livingstone winner.
Deborah Philip Gowal and Generous Dabien for the post of welfare secretary, had Deborah with 269 votes and Generous with 280 votes, making Generous Dabien winner.
The final announcement which would give the fate of the students of the association to the leadership of one man was also announced with much more fire.
Patrick Longogot had a total of 284 votes, while Hope Friday had a total of 266 votes making Patrick president of the association.
Cheers, screams and applauses took over as students congratulated their winners with hugs, pats on the backs, and handshakes.
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Weldone.